-Chapter 12-

Enter the Hunter

It was evening in New York. In his office, Norman sat at his desk, a tall, well-built man before him.

"Sergei Kravinoff, I presume?" he asked.

"No need to be so formal," the man replied, his voice thick with a Russian accent. "You can call me Kraven. Everyone does."

"Of course. I trust you've gone over the files I sent you."

"Indeed," Kraven raised the file in his hand, all of it detailing Spider-Man. "You were not lying when you said this would be a hunt unlike any other. But I must ask, why do you want this prey?"

"That's not part of our deal," Norman said sharply.

"Apologies. Mere curiosity, is all."

"My reasons are my own. Just track down and capture Spider-Man for me. Whatever price you want in exchange, name it."

Kraven chuckled. "Mr. Osborn, if this prey is truly as amazing as you claim, then this hunt will be price enough."

"Excellent," Norman smiled. "Then I'll let you get to it."

Kraven stood up, walking out of the office with file in hand.

"You won't slip through my fingers again, Spider-Man," Norman vowed. "This time, you're mine."

At Peter's lab, he was pacing around nervously. Peni sighed.

"Come on, Pete," she said. "You've faced down armed robbers, costumed villains, and giant reptiles. So why is talking to a girl making you pee your pants?"

"Well, probably because most other girls have told me to take a hike, and that's on a good day," Peter said matter-of-factly. "And that's on a good day. Liz is, so far, the only girl besides you that doesn't treat me like the nerd plague."

"That's because unlike most of the airheads on the cheer team, Liz actually has some brains," Peni remarked. "And you've already faced the worst possible outcome enough times. So what do you have to lose?"

"Well…" Peter began, "For starters, she just broke up with Flash not too long ago. It's not too soon, is it?"

Peni raised an eyebrow. "It's not like you're asking her to Homecoming. You just want to get coffee."

"Right…" Peter took a deep breath. "Right. Go up to her, ask her for a slice of pizza at Pepe's. The worst she can do is say no."

Peni smiled. "That's the spirit."

Some time later, Peter waited at the gym, pacing as Liz got done with cheerleading practice. Once she had changed, he worked up his courage and approached her.

"Hey, Peter," Liz greeted. "What's up?"

"Nothing," he answered, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. "So... you have any plans for this Saturday?"

"Not really. Why?"

"Well, if you're not busy... I was wondering if... maybe you'd like to…"

Liz gave Peter a deadpan stare.

"You gotta finish the question for me to answer."

"You wanna go out for coffee this weekend?" Peter blurted out, quickly and a tad too loud.

A moment of silence passed as Liz processed the request.

"Are you... asking me out?"

Peter sighed.

"Yeah. Yeah, I am. So... what do you say?"

Liz just smiled. "Y'know what? Sure. Coffee sounds great."

"Really?" Peter let out in surprise before playing it cool. "I mean... great. See you then."

He rounded the corner, and once he was out of sight, grinned and gave a small fist pump.

"Yes!"

Later, he was swinging through the city in costume, looking for any crime.

"I finally did it," he mused to himself. "For the first time in my life, I actually got a girl to say yes to a date with me."

He smiled under his mask. "Oh, if you could see me now, Uncle Ben…"

-X-

Unbeknownst to him, Spider-Man was being watched by Kraven.
"Such speed... such agility…" he mused. "You will make a worthy challenge, indeed."

-X-

As Spidey swung across the streets, his spider-sense suddenly went off like crazy.

"Oh, well," he sighed. "Easy come, easy go."

He swung for a bit, pretending he didn't know anyone was behind him as Kraven hopped across the rooftops after him. He eventually stopped before a billboard, ducking out of the way just in time to avoid an arrow.

"An arrow?" he asked. "What, is there a Renaissance faire in town?"

He looked around and saw a figure standing on a rooftop, prompting him to swing towards it. Kraven took a few steps back as Spider-Man landed in front of him.

"Whoa," he let out. "Little far from the jungle, aren't ya, Tarzan?"

He looked the man upside down; he was dressed in hunting apparel consisting of a fur-lined vest and green cargo pants. He had a thick black mustache and soul patch, and a prominent scar across his left eye with several more on his chest.

"Where'd you come from?"

"Mother Russia," Kraven replied. "By way of Mother Africa."

"Wow," Spidey let out. "Two moms, and yet, so ill behaved."

"It is as he said," Kraven mused. "You have quite the mouth under that mask. Perhaps I will keep your tongue as a trophy."

"First off, gross," Spider-Man deadpanned. "Second, 'he'?" he sighed. "Let me guess. Norman Osborn hired you to bag and tag me?"

"Indeed," Kraven drew two blades. "He promised me the hunt of a lifetime. Let us see if you live up to your reputation."

He hacked and slashed at Spider-Man, who dodged and weaved around him.

"Dream on, Elmer Fudd! I'm not gonna be delivered to Oscorp like some animal!"

"Do not confuse me for some child's cartoon, Spider-Man. I am Sergei Kravinoff. Kraven the Hunter. The greatest hunter in the world!"

"And the most modest."

The fight brought them to the edge of the roof, causing Spider-Man to lean back as far as he could. He then fired two webs, knocking the blades out of Kraven's hands. Kraven just tackled him off the roof, the two grappling as they fell.

"Just what're you playing at?" Spider-Man questioned. "Did you get bored with hunting lions and tigers and bears, and decide to move on to the most dangerous game?"

"In a manner of speaking," Kraven admitted. "Now be still. The noblest prey meets their end with silent dignity."

"Prey? Silent? Dignity?" Spidey scoffed. "It's like you don't know me at all."

Spider-Man shot two weblines and swung into a nearby window. Despite the glass cracking, Kraven kept a tight grip.

"Hey, I never do anything easily. And if you think I'm letting Russian Crocodile Dundee do me in, you've got another thing coming."

He slammed him into another building, dislodging him. As Kraven fell, Spider-Man quickly caught him in a webbing net.

"Amazing…" Kraven let out. "No beast has ever broken free of me."

"Okay, I think I see the confusion," Spider-Man remarked. "I'm not a beast, buddy. I'm a spider man. Get it?"

Kraven quickly pulled out another blade and cut himself free, allowing him to drop to another rooftop. Spider-Man dropped down as well, the two facing off as Kraven pulled out a boomerang.

"You truly are everything Norman Osborn said. The ultimate challenge."

He threw the boomerang, only for Peter to nonchalantly dodge.

"Really? A boomerang?" Spider-Man said flatly.

He ducked when it came back around. "You'll have to do better than-"

He was cut off when a pair of bolas wrapped around his arms and legs, forcing him to kneel over.

"Yeah, that'll do it," he strained against the bolas. "But the proportionate strength of a spider here. How long do you think some rope is gonna hold me?"

"Long enough for me to use this." Kraven pulled out a blowgun. "This dart is filled with enough tranquilizer to bring down a bull elephant. It will all be over soon."

"Damn it…"

Thinking fast, Spider-Man shot a web at the end of the blowgun, blocking it.

"What is-?!" Kraven exclaimed.

"Just one example of my extraordinary spider powers. Here's another one!"

Mustering his strength, he snapped free of the bolas and began shooting webs at Kraven. He threw the spear, narrowly missing Peter as the fight led to the streets below.

Kraven raised an eyebrow as he looked Spider-Man over. Confused, Peter looked down to see the side of his suit had been torn, exposing a set of white boxers with red hearts on them.

"Okay," he began. "For the record, those undies were half price and do not reflect my very high macho quotient."

Kraven just spear-tackled him, ramming him into the side of a taxi. Spider-Man quickly grabbed him by the collar and lifted him overhead, tossing him into the hood of a nearby car.

"Had enough?" he quipped.

Kraven charged, swinging at him. By this point, however, Spider-Man had decided to get serious, effortlessly dodging his attacks before beginning to drive him back.

Kraven charged, but by this point, Spider-Man had begun dodging around and started to get serious, driving him back.

"You just don't get it, do you?" Spider-Man responded. "I'll admit you're good. Maybe at the whole hunting thing you're even the best. But when it comes to the New York superpowered scene, you're out of your league."

Kraven just laughed in response.

"Did I say something funny?" Spidey asked.

"I suppose an explanation is in order," Kraven admitted, gesturing to the scars on his chest. "Do you want to know how I got these scars?"

"Oh, a scar story. Goody. Let me guess, alcoholic dad? Bummed out wife? Or maybe ya got cat scratch fever? Let me know if I'm getting warmer."

"A hunting accident. The lion was wounded, and I was careless."

"Ouch."

"I was near death. But an associate of mine created a special serum derived from rare jungle herbs to save my life. The experience was excruciating... but it increased my strength and reflexes. After I recovered, I went back, and with my bare hands got my revenge."

He sighed, looking off to the side.

"It was easy. Too easy. I had become so powerful that no prey could challenge me. To one who lives for the thrill of the hunt, this was a tragedy. My life was over... until Norman Osborn approached me and told me all about you."

"So you're hunting me for sport, huh?" Spidey deduced, starting to look around. "Alright then, Kraven. You want a hunt, I'll give you one. Just try and catch me!"

He quickly shot a web. Kraven dodged and turned back, only to see Spider-Man had fled into the city in the time it took for him to avoid the web shot and look back.

"The hunt is on…" Kraven growled, eyes blazing with excitement.

As Kraven took to the rooftops, Peter emerged from a nearby alley in his street clothes, watching him go.

"That oughta keep him busy for a while. But just to be safe…"

He ducked into the crowd, disappearing. Kraven searched around for a while, eventually finding the torn piece of Spider-Man's costume left behind in their fight. He picked it up, holding it to his nose and giving it a sniff. His eyes became cat-like as he did, and he grinned.

The next day, Peter and Liz met up at a cafe for their coffee break.

"Actually on time," Liz remarked. "This must really be a special occasion."

Peter shrugged. "Eh, I didn't have much to do today myself."

They kicked back, relaxing and chatting casually. At that moment, a door opened, and Peter's heart skipped a beat as he heard a familiar voice.

"Black coffee. Two sugars."

He turned to see Kraven himself at the counter. As Kraven started to turn towards him, Peter turned back to Liz to avoid eye contact.

"You okay, Peter?" she asked.

"Uh… yeah, fine," Peter assured. "Just zoning..."

Kraven passed by, and Peter noticed the small scrap of his suit in his hand.

"...out."

The two locked eyes briefly before Kraven calmly walked out of the cafe, cup in hand. Liz briefly watched him walk out.

"Who was that guy?" she asked. "I swear, something about him made my hair stand on end."

"Not... entirely sure," Peter admitted.

He lifted his coffee, "accidentally" spilling it on his shirt.

"Damn. Clumsy me."

"Oh god, are you okay?" Liz cried.

"Fine. Just need to wash this off. Be right back."

He slipped out the bathroom window, seeing Kraven in the alley behind. He finished his coffee before tossing the cup in a trash can.

"I did not see this coming," the hunter confessed. "The Spider-Man is a spider boy. How old are you, child?"

"Not a child," Peter said. "I'm fifteen. So... what happens now? You gonna net me and drag me back to Osborn?"

"You promised me a hunt," Kraven said simply. "I have hunted. And now, I catch you. But I am an honorable hunter, so you have a five second head start. But no more hiding… Peter."

"How generous," Spider-Man deadpanned.

He immediately began swinging, heading for Central Park.

"I just had to duck out without finding that costume scrap…" he grumbled. "Now I have a super-hunter after me, who knows who I am!"

As he went, he perked before dialing Liz, thinking up a quick excuse.

"Sorry Liz, something's come up. Had to run off to the Bugle for a photo job."

"Seriously?" Liz questioned.

"Think we can reschedule?" Peter asked.

"We'll see how it goes. I thought you said you didn't have much to do today."

"I didn't... until Jameson called me wanting a photographer. He's a bit of a hardass." he landed in the center of the park. "I'll call you when I get the chance. Bye!"

He hung up, looking for any sign of Kraven.

"Alright Spidey, stay frosty," he muttered. "Spider sense should warn you if Kraven tries something." He sighed. "And now you're talking to yourself. Nice."

Just then, his spider sense went off, seconds before an arrow sliced through the air.

"It is time, Spider-Man," came Kraven's voice. "Here and now, we will see who is the hunter, and who is the prey!"

"Or you could take up another hobby," Spider-Man replied. "Like stamp collecting or knitting."

He looked around, his arm hairs standing on end. Eventually, Kraven jumped out with his spear, coming down for a stab. Peter quickly dodged to the side and threw a punch, catching Kraven in the ribs. Kraven was sent flying back, grunting before grinning. Spider-Man went on the offensive, landing a few punches. Kraven stumbled back, smirking as he wiped blood from his lower lip.

"Impressive. You've drawn first blood," he remarked. "But now it's my turn."

He grabbed Spider-Man's head between his legs, throwing him into a tree. Spider-Man shook his head, looking up to see Kraven throwing a knife towards him. He quickly leapt upwards, causing the knife to hit the tree.

"Haven't you heard?" he shouted. "There's a law against hunting men! Even ones with spider powers!"

"The laws of men mean little to me, Spider-Man," Kraven replied. "The only law I follow is the law of the jungle, where the strong reign supreme."

Kraven leapt up into the tree, forcing Spider-Man to keep moving. They hopped across the trees, trading punches where they could. Eventually, however, Kraven landed a mighty blow which sent Peter to the ground, seemingly unconscious. Kraven planted his spear in the ground, nodding in respect.

"A good hunt," he mused. "But this outcome was inevitable."

When Kraven reached for Spidey, he suddenly got a face full of webbing.

"Don't count your chickens until they hatch, Kraven!"

As Kraven struggled to get the webbing off his face, Spidey delivered a flurry of blows to his stomach, using every bit of his strength. With one last blow, Spider-Man knocked him to the ground.

"Score another one for New York's number one genetic misfit. Namely, me."

Kraven coughed, his breath ragged as he got up, finally freeing his face from the webbing.

"Oh, come on…"

Kraven faced Spider-Man, then dropped to one knee.

"I yield," he said calmly.

"Wait," Peter blinked. "That's it?"

"You have proven the greater warrior here, Spider-Man. I gave it my all and lost on my own terms. you are truly the greatest prize I have ever hunted. Now go, you have earned your freedom."

"Seriously? Just like that?"

Kraven nodded. "Law of the jungle. The strong reign supreme."

Deciding not to look a gift horse in the mouth, Spider-Man shrugged.

"Thanks, I guess," he said as he swung away.

Later, at the lab, Peter explained what had happened to Peni.

"So Norman hired some crazy big game hunter to bag and tag me. At least he had some loony code of honor and let me go. Bet Norman wasn't expecting that."

"Yeah, I agree," Peni said. "Still, the next guy may not share his sense of honor."

"Oscorp's been coming after me in full force all week," Peter mused. "I think it's time to return the favor."

Peni perked. "Wait. You mean-?"

"I do," Peter nodded. "I have to get to the bottom of this, and that means an unannounced visit to Oscorp."

Later, at his office, Norman was on the phone with Kraven, scowling in rage.

"Spider-Man was every bit the challenge you promised, Mr. Osborn," Kraven mused. "Hence why I allowed him to leave. As a testament to his skill, he deserves the right to roam free."

"That wasn't part of our deal, Kravinoff!" Norman spat.

"Well, then perhaps you should have hired a lowly bounty hunter with no scruples who only fights for profit," Kraven said matter-of-factly.

At that, Norman threw his phone into the wall, smashing it before sweeping everything off his desk with a roar. As he composed himself, Norman picked up the office phone, contacting the science division.

"Time is up. With or without Spider-Man, we'll have to advance testing. Proceed with the human trials of OZ immediately. I'll be there tonight."

Author's Note:

Oh, snap! Norman's lost his patience. I think we all know what's coming…

So… yeah. My Kraven takes cues from the Stalker from Batman Beyond and the Imakandi from Samurai Jack. Not so much an enemy or ally of Spider-Man; more of a neutral force.

Anyway, now for members of the cast I kept forgetting/not thinking of until now:

* Doctor Octopus - William Salyers

* Norman Osborn - either Willem Dafoe or Mark Rolston

* Harry Osborn - Matt Lanter

* Gwen Stacy - Lacey Chabert

* J. Jonah Jameson - J.K. Simmons

* Eddie Brock - Ben Diskin

* Whitney Chang - Sumalee Montano

* Rhino - John DiMaggio

* Sandman - Travis Willingham

* Iron Man - Robert Downey Jr.

* Shocker - Jim Cummings

* Flash Thompson - Joshua LeBar

* Curt Connors/Lizard - Yuri Lowenthal

* Liz Allan - Natalie Lander

* Kraven the Hunter - Gregg Berger

Please R&R. Until next time!